Archive By Section - Local News

An event that geologists refer to as a "rock tumbler" sent a swath of rocks about the size of a half a football field spilling into the main canal just 1,000 feet downstream from Goodwin Dam at 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

The regular city council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 22 has been cancelled. The meeting was originally scheduled for the Tuesday night due the Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday falling on Jan. 21.

The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) has selected Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto) as one of two recipients for the annual "Patti Mattingly Award" for 2012. The Patti Mattingly Award is given to a policymaker who has demonstrated leadership on rural issues and an understanding of the unique challenges that rural communities face.

U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) recently honored Vietnam combat veteran and Turlock native Rufino "Joe" Centeno with the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) among other awards and decorations earned for his distinguished service during the Vietnam War in 1968, but did not receive following his discharge from the armed services.

A local councilman's hard fought goal of a river trail from the east to the west side of Oakdale possibly came to a halt when an expected property owner pulled support of an easement that would have allowed trail access from Valley View Park to Kerr Park.

At a time when the City of Oakdale tries to pull itself out from the recent economic downturn, it must weigh the cost of compensating its employees fairly for their services as other cities also recover and offer more competitive wages to pull away qualified personnel.

In keeping with a plan to raise out-of-district water rates incrementally until a rate of $100 per acre foot is met by water year 2016, the Oakdale Irrigation District Board of Directors unanimously approved to increase 2013 out-of-district water deliveries to $55 per acre foot for all measurable deliveries in an action at the Jan. 15 regular meeting.

City leaders and Oakdale residents were basically assured by Pacific Gas and Electric officials that the underground conversion of overhead power lines along South Yosemite Avenue would not result in any cost to local citizens.

Oakdale Chamber of Commerce will host its annual awards dinner on Friday, Jan. 18. Tickets for the dinner and ceremony are on sale now at the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce and on the Oakdale Chamber website for $40 per person. Seating is limited and tickets must be reserved by this Friday, Jan. 11.

Newly hired Oakdale City Manager Bryan Whitemyer accepted concessions in retirement benefits of the four-year $160,500 annual salary employment contract and far less in total compensation than his predecessor to come over from the City of Hughson and assist the budget-strapped city of Oakdale.

A 44-year-old Oakdale man was arrested Monday afternoon, Jan. 7, after police say he was named in the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl. The teen, who admitted she had been drinking at a party hosted by the suspect, was later reportedly molested by him after falling asleep.

Newly hired Oakdale City Manager Bryan Whitemyer accepted concessions in retirement benefits of the four-year $160,500 annual salary employment contract and far less in total compensation than his predecessor to come over from the City of Hughson and assist the budget strapped city of Oakdale.